This website uses cookies (including tracking technologies) to improve user experience and provide appropriate information. If you continue on this website you will be providing your consent to our use of these. You can see our cookies and learn how to manage them. Find out more.

Gale appointed as First XI Coach

— 14 November 2016

The Yorkshire County Cricket Club are delighted to announce the appointment of Andrew Gale as the Club’s new First XI Coach.

Gale, who captained the White Rose to back-to-back County Championships in 2014 and 2015, has subsequently retired from playing, concluding the batsman’s illustrious First Class playing career at Headingley.

The 32-year-old has signed an initial three-year contract and Director of Cricket Martyn Moxon believes that Gale is the right man to continue driving the team forward.

“We are delighted to announce that Andrew Gale is going to be the new First XI Coach,” Moxon said.

“We have gone through a rigorous process and looked at all the options that were available to us.

“We had 16 applicants for the job with some extremely good candidates in among that list. But at the end of the day, for what I believe we need, Galey was the obvious choice. He is highly qualified in the way that he has led the team as Captain over the past seven years and has expertise that we didn’t want to lose at the Club.

“I think the role now has got two parts to it. In the short-term, we need someone who can manage the First XI which is, in Championship cricket, a pretty senior group. I think it’s important that we keep that continuity within the group and protect the environment that we’ve created, one that has been so successful for us.

“The long-term vision is to ensure that we have someone who can oversee the natural transition that will occur as the senior players retire and the younger players take over in their places. It’s important that we have that continuity and I think that in Galey we’re ensuring that will be the case.

“It also gives him time to build up his coaching experience and knowledge alongside the other excellent coaches we have here at the Club.”

Gale made his First-Class debut for Yorkshire against Somerset at Scarborough in 2004 and has since gone onto become one of most successful captains in the Club’s history. In the 98 games that he captained the White Rose in the County Championship between 2010-16, Gale led the Club to 40 victories, 46 draws and just 12 defeats.

Speaking about his appointment, Gale said: “I am absolutely thrilled to be appointed the First XI Coach of this great Club.

“I didn’t expect the opportunity to come as early as it has, but it is one that is too good to turn down.

“In taking up the role, I have ended a memorable playing career at Headingley, however, the challenge ahead is one that truly excites me.

“As First XI Coach, I aim to continue the good work that has been done over the past five years with the excellent support staff that we have here.

“I have always believed in the group of players here at the Club and in turn I have earned their respect. I will demand a lot from them to ensure that we maintain the high standards that we have come to expect at Yorkshire County Cricket Club.